Letters.

• Position: Letter to the Editor

Keeping The Peace

I read with interest and approval Jonathan Rowe's article entitled "Reach Out And Annoy Someone" (November 2000) via Guardian Unlimited's weblog. Cell phones--or mobiles as they are known in the UK--are an equally large problem here.

I have to admit to owning a mobile for security reasons, as I often travel late at night, but I leave it switched off. I have vowed never to become one of those sad individuals who measures his or her self-worth by the number of calls received during a train journey.

The "quiet coach" idea has been put into practice on some trains here in response to consumer demand. I commute to London on Virgin trains, which feature one quiet coach, where mobiles, and sometimes personal stereos, are banned. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't. Usually businessmen bring their phones in and lay them on the table, oblivious to the numerous "quiet coach" signs and dirty looks from the anti-mobile brigade. It is usually dependent on the determination and boldness of this group to ensure that anyone whose phone is rung is swiftly asked to leave, with varying degrees of politeness.

I have sat in a quiet coach filled with trilling mobiles, or, as happened last night, a silent carriage. This was prompted by one brave soul who shouted at some boorish businessman yapping into his mobile, which had the superb effect of putting the fear of God into all potential mobile users. When I am forced to get on a train without a quiet coach, my only satisfaction is watching people get disconnected from their caller as the train passes into a tunnel.

JANE PERRONE United Kingdom

Lest We Forget

Re: "The Ghost of Tom Joad," November 2000. I would like to thank the author for a very insightful analysis into what is happening with attitudes today toward the poor and less fortunate. Memories of poverty also fade with success. How few of us admit to the role of luck because we sound so much superior by saying it was the result of hard work and greater talent! The article was excellent. It will be my Christmas mailer.

JOHN BALOG Goose Creek, S.C.

Re: "The Ghost of Tom Joad," November 2000. I am raising a young child, and he knows about recycling and helping others. He knows why he should give away a Pokemon card every now and then when trading with our neighbors who don't have as much as him. He knows what Goodwill sells and why the Salvation Army exists. Sadly, lots of kids don't--and their parents seem to pretend they don't either...